DOJ subpoenaes Eddie Gil in estafa case

Disqualified presidential candidate Eddie Gil has been subpoenaed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to answer the charges of estafa and other swindles filed against him by his former supporters.

State Prosecutor Roberto Escaro scheduled the preliminary investigation of the case at 2 p.m. on June 15 where Gil, a self-proclaimed billionaire, is expected to personally file his counter-affidavit.

Gil, now a recording artist and making television appearances in comedy programs, is also expected to face his accusers whom he allegedly duped during the election campaign.

Several persons banded together two weeks ago and filed estafa and other charges against Gil, standard-bearer of the Isang Bansa Isang Diwa (IBID) party, before the DOJ.

Most of them were local candidates promised to be given campaign funds by Gil.

Before he was disqualified by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for being a nuisance candidate, Gil made a campaign promise to give every Filipino P1 million and pay the country’s foreign debts if he wins.

Determined to pursue his presidential ambition, Gil appealed to the Supreme Court but the Comelec decision was upheld as it was noted that he could not mount a nationwide campaign.

Gil nonetheless went on to make his presence felt before the people and later was drawn to the entertainment industry, which has capitalized on his unusual popularity.

Gil’s antics have provided comic relief amid months of political tension during the election season.

But the people whom he had supposedly duped are not one bit amused. One of the complainants against Gil was a caterer during his birthday celebration at the Cuneta Astrodome on Feb. 7 of this year. In the complaint, the group labeled Gil as an "international swindler" who did not really have the money he had been bragging about.

Sammy Brown, composer of the jingle Gil used in his campaign, also surfaced at the DOJ last week and accused Gil of not paying him his P600,000 talent fee.

The songwriter told reporters that he was supposed to work for the campaign of opposition presidential bet Sen. Panfilo Lacson, but was convinced by Gil to shift to his camp with the promise of better pay.

Brown said Gil asked him to write the political jingle of his IBID party last January.

Aside from writing IBID’s political jingles, Brown said he arranged the 12 songs recorded by Gil’s daughter, Charlene May. The songs have hit the airwaves but he claimed he has yet to be paid.

Initially, Brown prepared a contract with Gil with regard to his services to his political party. But Gil took the document, saying he has more jobs in store for the composer.

Brown is now left with no evidence to present before the courts. And he will also have to wait for his turn as many other supposed Gil victims are suing him and asking for just compensation.